Filipino Muslim lawmaker wants anti-Islam film banned

MANILA, Philippines (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Sulu Rep. Habib Tupay Loong has appealed to the Aquino administration to do all it can to block the amateur anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims” from being shown in the Philippines.   Loong, who is also the chairman of the House committee on Muslim affairs, said the film may cause Muslim groups linked to the international terrorist group Al Qaeda to react drastically and launch terrorist activities.The film, supposedly made in the US, portrays the Prophet Mohammad as a womanizer, philanderer and a fool.Several attacks have been launched against US officials and diplomats in the Middle East and some parts of Africa. Muslims consider the film blasphemous and sinful.Loong noted that an attack against the Prophet Mohammad is an attack on all Muslims from all over the world.Malacanang already said it is not considering banning the film in the Philippines. "There are neither precedent nor existing conditions that may prompt us to consider moving in that direction. We will remain alert and vigilant to ensure that similar threats to our security and peace are neutralized effectively,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.Other countries, such as India and Indonesia, have already made orders in order to block the film’s showing.Loong urged the Aquino administration to show its support to Muslim Filipinos by condemning the film.He also called on the government to appeal to the US government to put an end to the protests in order to divert a possible international crisis.Meanwhile, Loong called on his Muslim constituents not to take the law into their own hands and show their anger and hatred through violence and destruction./129